David Brannan PhD Thesis - University of St Andrews

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such as Gayman’s Church of Israel and Weiland’s Mission to Israel, have each adopted some
traits more commonly found in a Mediterranean group orientation.
A visible expression of this unexpected trait is the dietary regime adopted by these
groups. For instance Gayman and his group follow a strict diet which they believe is
commanded in Scripture as a result of their believed solidarity with Old Testament Israelites.
The leaders describe this commitment to what has traditionally been seen as a Jewish practice, as
a practice, which links them with their ancestral past. The practice of following these dietary
laws is observed church wide. Similarly, these same groups celebrate feasts and religious
holidays normally associate with the Jewish tradition. For instance, The Church of Israel
celebrates the Feast of Tabernacles, which is normally associated with the Jewish tradition. The
church sees the festival as a mandatory gathering for all “Israelite Christians.” 490 The festival is
celebrated over an eight-day period that changes dates each calendar year. 491
These Mediterranean borne practices have become pervasive within the theologically
focused groups such as the Church of Israel and the Church of Israel Redeemed. The practice is
not taken lightly and is related to their covenantal beliefs and is an example of the group rather
than individualistic focus. The same group orientation is not seen in the racially oriented groups
such as the KKK.
Israel.”
490 A label often used by Identity believers to explain those who understand their “real identity as literal
491 “National Feast of Tabernacles,” The Watchman, Summer 1997, Volume 20, number 3, p. 42.